UCP holds onto Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills in byelection
The United Conservative Party has held on to Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, fending off a challenge from the newly formed Republican Party of Alberta by a large margin.
The United Conservative Party has held on to Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, fending off a challenge from the newly formed Republican Party of Alberta by a large margin. The RPA ran its leader, Cam Davies, against UCP candidate Tara Sawyer, who ultimately secured a decisive victory.
Some residents told True North they thought that, prior to the Republican Party of Alberta popping up, the Alberta UCP would garner 80 per cent of the vote. With all of the polls now reporting and a total of 15,318 votes cast in the riding, Sawyer received 9,363 votes (61.12 per cent), while Davies of the RPA earned 2,705 votes (15.6 per cent) falling behind the NDP candidate.
Alberta NDP candidate Beverley Toews finished second with 3,061 votes (19.98 per cent), while the Wildrose Loyalty Coalition’s Bill Tufts came in last with 189 votes (1.23 per cent).
The race marked the Republican Party’s first electoral test since its formation earlier this year.
Speaking to Juno News earlier in the campaign, Sawyer warned that splitting the vote on the right could inadvertently hand the riding to the Alberta NDP.
Davies’ campaign focused on taking a strong stance against Ottawa and Prime Minister Mark Carney.
“Mark Carney wrote the book on how to be a socialist; Trudeau might have just read a couple pages,” said Davies. “This man is dangerous, and he’s focused on a mission to fundamentally alter Canada in a way that isn’t helpful to Albertans.”
Local voters speaking to True North had less of a concern about vote-splitting, predicting that they would be splitting an already strong majority of 80 per cent, still leaving the NDP well behind.
Other locals brushed off vote splitting, too.
“My vote wasn’t based on the engagement of the candidates or what they’re going to do for our riding,” said Ryan McIver, a man who has lived in Olds for the last decade. “My vote was based on making a point to the rest of the country and to Ottawa about how seriously Alberta needs to take separation.”
He said that the UCP has strayed from its conservative roots and accused Premier Danielle Smith of appeasing Prime Minister Mark Carney.
McIver added that he hoped a strong Republican Party of Alberta showing would influence Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s future decisions on the separation portfolio.
Two other by-elections occurred across the province. Edmonton-Strathcona was won by the NDP, with 7,952 votes, and Edmonton-Ellerslie was also won by the NDP, with 4,327 votes.
With the UCP retaining the seat once held by former Speaker Nathan Cooper, attention now turns to whether the Republican Party of Alberta can turn its showing into momentum for 2027, and whether the UCP will respond to growing pressure from its right flank.
How people still vote for the socialst ndp party is incomprehensible, many many stupid people in Canada. There is no doubt going thru the education system makes them this way, it has long been a festering sore on Canada's arse full of communist teachers and faculty.
.All government workers will vote for the Liberals or NDP - big powerful government is the communist agenda with complete control - guess why Trudeau an now Carney are rapidly expanding government employment - Read Carney's book! This is why the rest of us are screwed.